Interprofessional communication in an emergency care unit: a case study

This is a single case study carried out in the emergency care unit of a general hospital. Data were collected through participant observation, document analysis, and semi-structured interviews, and were triangulated and subjected to thematic analysis, out of categories defined a priori, based on the SWOT matrix.

Results:

Twenty-two health care professionals participated in the study. As for the strengths and opportunities, it was found that professionals understand the importance of communication as a safety measure, and they use the shift change and written communication to share information. However, overcrowding, work overload, the lack of behaviors standardization, the inexperience of professionals, and the deficit in the interprofessional relationship are factors that hinder effective communication.

Conclusion:

The fragile interprofessional communicative process hampers interaction and information sharing for shared decisions that allow the safe continuity of care.

DESCRIPTORS
Communicattion; Emergency Service; Hospital; Patient Care Team; Interprofessional Relations; Patient Safety

Universidade de São Paulo, Escola de Enfermagem Av. Dr. Enéas de Carvalho Aguiar, 419 , 05403-000 São Paulo - SP/ Brasil, Tel./Fax: (55 11) 3061-7553, - São Paulo - SP - Brazil
E-mail: reeusp@usp.br

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[1] Corresponding author: Alyne Henri Motta Coifman, Av. Dr. Augusto Viana Filho, SN, Campus Canela, CEP 40110-060 – Canela, BA, Brazil. alymotta@yahoo.com.br

STRENGTHS	OPPORTUNITIES
– The team understands communication as a safety measure; – Internal safety center; – Communication consultancy.	– Public sector investments for renovation in the Emergency Unit with expansion of the number of beds, as well as investments for renovation in the Surgical Center and wards beds.
WEAKNESSES	THREATS
– Overcrowding; – Service on a first-come, first-served basis in situation of overcrowding; – Overload; – Lack of standardization of care behaviors; – Professionals with no experience; – Deficit in interprofessional relationship; – Failures in oral and written communication.	– Interruption of operation of the Emergency Care Unit located in front of the locus hospital. – Lack of training in the use of the Manchester Triage System.

Brasil

Brasil

Interprofessional communication in an emergency care unit: a case study* * Extracted from the thesis “Produção de sentido da comunicação interprofissional para profissionais de saúde na Unidade de Emergência: estudo de caso, Universidade Federal da Bahia, 2019.

ABSTRACT

Objective:

Method:

Results:

Conclusion:

Interprofessional communication in an emergency care unit: a case study^* * Extracted from the thesis “Produção de sentido da comunicação interprofissional para profissionais de saúde na Unidade de Emergência: estudo de caso, Universidade Federal da Bahia, 2019.